Bottle jack with adjustable valve inhibitor

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a valve having an elongated main body and a substantially flat area defined within the valve between its first and second ends; wherein a stopping screw is received in said flat area so as to prevent extraction of the valve from a casing by applying a force against a portion of the valve once the valve is moved a predetermined number of turns. The invention also provides a method for inhibiting the turning of a valve having the steps of installing a threaded portion of a valve in a first threaded aperture through a casing, where the first threaded aperture receives the threads of the threaded portion of the valve; and threading a screw through a second threaded aperture in an exterior of the casing, where the screw, is disposed in a position to come into direct contact with the valve after a predetermined number of turns.

PRIORITY

This U.S. Non-Provisional patent application claims priority and benefitas a Divisional of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 15/682,711,filed on Aug. 22, 2017, currently pending, the entirety of which isincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a hydraulic bottle jack and more specifically,this invention provides improvements to a control valve for a bottlejack having an adjustable member to inhibit excessive loosening of thevalve.

2. Background of the Invention

Hydraulic bottle jacks are well known in the art and utilize pressureexerted on an incompressible hydraulic fluid which in turn exertspressure on a lifting piston. Pressure is exerted on the hydraulic fluidby a lever operated plunger, forcing the fluid from a chamber containingthe plunger through a one-way valve and into a piston chamber where thefluid exerts pressure on a piston upwards. As the hydraulic fluid flowsinto the piston chamber, the piston is pushed higher upward. To stow thejack or reset the piston, a user opens a one-way reset valve to allowhydraulic fluid to flow back from the piston chamber to a hydraulicfluid reservoir.

The farther a user opens the one-way reset valve, the faster thehydraulic fluid flows from the piston chamber and the faster the pistonlowers. In an effort to speed up the jack lowering process, usersfrequently continue opening the one-way valve until they unintentionallyremove the valve from the jack altogether. The jack is then inoperableuntil repaired through replacement of the valve and any lost hydraulicfluid.

A need exists in the art for a bottle jack having a valve inhibitor. Thevalve inhibitor should be adjustable, with the means for adjustmentreadily accessible to users. The inhibitor should prevent users of thebottle jack from over loosening the valve and removing it from the jack.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a bottle jack that overcomesmany of the disadvantages of the prior art.

Another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable bottle jackwith a valve inhibitor. A feature of the device is that the valveinhibitor prevents a user from inadvertently removing the reset valvefrom a bottle jack. An advantage of the invention is that repair orreplacement of a bottle jack after inadvertent removal of the valve canbe avoided.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustablebottle jack valve inhibitor. A feature of the invention is the abilityfor a user to adjust the valve inhibitor to customize how wide theinhibited valve can be opened or how many times it can be turned. Anadvantage of the invention is that the speed of lowering the jack can becustomized with the reset valve without concern of removal of the bottlejack valve.

Still, yet another object of the present invention is to provide a onepiece inhibitor for a bottle jack valve to provide facile engineering. Afeature of the invention is the use of a single component that can beset to inhibit the turning of the bottle jack valve. An advantage of theinvention is facile assembly of the inhibition system. A furtheradvantage is that the inhibitor only requires a single aperture inbottle jack valve housing, further facilitating facile engineering.Still yet another advantage of the present invention is the visibilityof the inhibitor through the casing of the bottle jack featuring thepresent invention. With the inhibitor visible to a user of the jack, theuser can easily adjust the inhibitor without removing the jack's resetvalve or portions of the jack's case.

Briefly, the invention provides A threaded member received into a case,the threaded member comprising an elongated main body with a threadedsection defined on a distal end and a knob on a proximal end; whereinsaid threaded section is received into a corresponding threadedreceptacle in said case and wherein said knob protrudes outside anexterior surface of said case upon full insertion of said threadedmember; a pair of seals disposed on the threaded member between thedistal end and the proximal end; and a longitudinally extending surfaceof the threaded member defining a substantially flat area said areadisposed between said knob and said pair of seals; wherein a threadedstopping screw is received in said flat area and said threaded stoppingscrew transversely extending through the case in a single opening,through a threaded aperture so as to prevent extraction of the threadedmember by applying a force against a portion of the threaded member oncethe threaded member is moved a predetermined number of turns.

The invention also provides a method for inhibiting the turning of avalve comprising the steps of installing a threaded portion of a valvein a first threaded aperture through a valve casing, the valve thenbeing in a first position, wherein the first threaded aperture receivesthe threads of the threaded portion of the valve; and threading a screwthrough a second threaded aperture in an exterior of the valve casing,wherein the screw, once installed, is disposed in a position to comeinto direct contact with the valve after a predetermined number of turnsto place the valve into a second position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

The invention together with the above and other objects and advantageswill be best understood from the following detailed description of thepreferred embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A depicts a perspective view of a bottle jack employing theinvented valve and valve inhibitor, in accordance with the features ofthe present invention;

FIG. 1B is a top view of the bottle jack of FIG. 1A, in accordance withthe features of the present invention;

FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 1A jack down the line A-Ashown in FIG. 1B, in accordance with the features of the presentinvention;

FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 1A jack down the line B-Bshown in FIG. 1B, in accordance with the features of the presentinvention;

FIG. 1E is a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 1A jack down the line C-Cshown in FIG. 1B, in accordance with the features of the presentinvention;

FIG. 1F is a cutaway view of the interior of the FIG. 1A jack inaccordance with the features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a detail view of the invented valve, in accordance with thefeatures of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view a jack using the invented valve and valveinhibitor, in accordance with the features of the present invention; and

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 3A jack along the lineA-A, in accordance with the features of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofcertain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understoodwhen read in conjunction with the appended drawings.

As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and precededwith the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding pluralsaid elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated.Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present invention arenot intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additionalembodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unlessexplicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising” or “having”an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property mayinclude additional such elements not having that property.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the invention provides a bottle jack 10 having anexterior valve 12 used to lower the jack 10 when raised, that valve 12housed in a valve housing 13 defined by the base 14 of the jack. Thebase 14 supports a jack assembly 16 rising vertically from the base 14.Also rising vertically from the base 14, is the pump assembly 18. Thehandle 20 used to operate the pump assembly 18 is shown disassembled andplaced proximate to the jack 10. The exterior valve 12 extends laterallyfrom the base 14, with the portion of the base 14 housing the valve 12featuring an aperture 22 configured to receive the invented valveinhibitor 23.

Referring now to FIG. 1C, the bottle jack 10 features a substantiallycylindrical casing 24 that houses a coaxially disposed hydraulic fluidreservoir 26, a depending end of the fluid reservoir 26 b in fluidcommunication with a draw conduit 27 having a first end 27 a and asecond end 27 b. An interior housing 28 is disposed coaxially within thefluid reservoir 26. The interior housing 28 forms a piston chamber 30which coaxially receives a piston rod 32, a depending end 30 b of thepiston chamber in fluid communication with a pressurizing conduit 34.

The hydraulic fluid draw conduit 27 extends from a first end 27 a incommunication with the fluid reservoir 26 to a second end 27 b which isin fluid communication with the pump assembly 18. At its terminalportion 27 c, the hydraulic fluid draw conduit extends vertically towardand into communication with the pump assembly 18. Said terminal portion27 c flares from a smaller first diameter to a larger diameter at apoint intermediate the second end 27 b of the supply conduit and thepump assembly 18. A spring biased ball valve 38 (spring not depicted) isseated at the point where the diameter of the terminal portion 27 c ofthe supply conduit expands. The ball valve is biased so that when itsspring is compressed, the ball is seated at the flare point of theterminal portion 27 c of the supply conduit. In its default, extendedposition, the ball is raised by its spring toward the pump assembly 18and unseated from the flare point.

As shown in FIGS. 1A-E, the pump assembly 18 extends vertically from thebase 14 of the jack 10 and contains a plunger 40. The pump assembly 18terminates in a connector 42 defining an aperture 44 configured toreversibly receive the handle 20 (shown in two parts in FIG. 1A). Thepump assembly 18 features an actuator 46 pivotally mounted to both thebase 14 and connector 42 of the jack 10.

Looking to FIG. 1D, the pump assembly 18 is also in fluid communicationwith a second end 34 a of the pressurizing conduit, the conduitextending between its first end 34 a proximal to the piston chamber 30and its second end 34 b proximal to the pump assembly 18. The first endof the pressurizing conduit 34 a features a flare in diameter of theterminal portion similar to the terminal portion of the supply conduit27 c as shown in FIG. 1C and similarly features a spring biased ballvalve 38.

FIG. 1E depicts a cross section of the exemplary bottle jack of FIG. 1Bfeaturing the invented valve 72 along the line C-C. FIG. 1E depictsportions of the hydraulic fluid return conduit 48 which places thepiston chamber 30 (not shown in FIG. 1E) and hydraulic fluid reservoir26 in fluid communication. Also shown the invented valve 72 insertedinto an aperture in the base 12, the valve having threads (shown in FIG.2) matably engaged with threads on the aperture (shown in FIG. 3B). Thevalve 72 is in contact with a spring biased ball valve 38 that is seatedin the hydraulic fluid return conduit 48 such that fluid is preventedfrom flowing.

FIG. 1F depicts a cutaway view of the interior of the exemplary jack 10discussed. As shown in FIG. 1F, the hydraulic fluid return conduit 48extends between the piston chamber 30 and hydraulic fluid reservoir 26.The valve 72 is threaded into an aperture in the base 12, its terminalportion 51 in contact with a spring biased ball valve 38. Whencompressed by the valve 72, the spring-biased ball valve is seated in amedial portion 48 a of the hydraulic fluid return conduit 48 such thatthe piston chamber 30 and hydraulic fluid reservoir 26 are not in fluidcommunication. When the valve 72 is opened, as discussed infra, the ballvalve 38 is unseated from the return conduit 48 and places the pistonchamber 30 and hydraulic fluid reservoir 26 in fluid communication.

Detail of Jack Use

In use, a user inserts the handle 20 into the connector 42 of the pumpassembly 18 and actuates the actuator 46 up and down. When the handle 20is raised, the actuator 46 causes the plunger 40 to rise which opens theball valve 28 between the supply conduit 27 and the pump assembly 18,drawing hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic fluid reservoir 26 into thepump assembly 18. When the handle 20 is subsequently lowered, it drivesthe plunger 40 downward. The downward force of the plunger 40 closes theball valve of the supply conduit 27, forces hydraulic fluid through thepressurizing conduit 34, the fluid in turn pushing open the ball valveon the pressurizing conduit 34 and flowing into the piston chamber 30.As the jack is actuated subsequently, more hydraulic fluid flows intothe piston chamber 30, each addition of hydraulic fluid into the pistonchamber 30 causes the piston rod 32 to rise and lift a body placed ontop of the piston rod 32.

When it is time to lower the jack, the user partially unscrews theinvented valve 12 which opens the ball valve 38 in the hydraulic fluidreturn conduit, placing the piston chamber 30 and the hydraulic fluidreservoir 26 into fluid communication. With the reservoir and pistonchamber in communication, the piston 32 falls and forces fluid from thepiston chamber 30 into the hydraulic fluid reservoir. A user candetermine how quickly the piston falls and, in turn, how quickly thehydraulic fluid flows back to its reservoir by adjusting the position ofthe ball valve within the return conduit. If a user opens the valvefarther, the ball valve 38 moves farther out of the return conduitcausing faster fluid return and faster resetting of the piston.

As discussed, supra, a common issue with hydraulic jacks is usersturning the release valve too many times until the valve is removed fromthe jack. When the valve is removed, hydraulic fluid will leak from thejack and render the jack unusable until both the valve and hydraulicfluid are replaced. The inventors have found that the invented valve andvalve inhibitor prevent this problem.

Valve and Inhibitor Detail

FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the invented valve 72. The valve 72comprises an elongated main body 52 having a first end 72 b and a secondend 72 a. Said valve features a threaded section 54 defined on its firstend 72 b and a knob 56 on its second end 72 a wherein a pair of seals 58are disposed on the valve member intermediate its first 72 b and secondends 72 a. In an embodiment (not shown), the two seals 58 are a singleseal while in the embodiment, the seals 58 comprise a plurality ofseals. Also intermediate the first and second ends of the valve is asubstantially flat area 89, that flat area having a smaller longitudinaldiameter than the longitudinal diameter of the valve 72 at its first 72b and second 72 a ends.

The proportions and geometries of the invented valve 72 shown in FIG. 2are meant to be exemplary and not limiting. For example, the flat area89 can be closer in diameter to the rest of the valve 72 than shown inFIG. 2, and making the flat area 89 wider in diameter may be desirablewhen designing a limiting member, discussed infra, corresponding withthe valve. Similarly, the diameter of the second end 72 a of the valveis shown to taper down in diameter. In an embodiment, the second end 72a of the valve including its threads is the same diameter as the firstend 72 b of the valve.

The valve of FIG. 2 is shown and described as having a second end 72 adefining a knob. The first end 72 b, however, can be manufactured intoany shape suitable for desired use of the valve. In an embodiment, thesecond end 72 a of the valve defines a cylinder with radially spacedridges to accommodate the fingers of a user when turning the valve 72.In an embodiment, the knob is a handwheel.

The valve can be made in any size to accommodate use in varioushydraulic systems, from use in small hydraulic jacks to use in largerindustrial hydraulic systems. In order to suit applications of variousscales, the valve and its components can be made from suitable materialsto accommodate varying sizes and pressures of hydraulic systems usingthe invented valve. For example, the body of the valve is made fromsuitably rigid, form-holding materials such as metals, polymers, wood,and combinations thereof. Further, depending on the intended use of theinvented valve and the pressure used in the intended process, the valvebody can be hollow or solid. The seals can be made from anyhigh-friction material, an exemplary material being rubber.

In an embodiment, such as the one shown in FIG. 2, the knob 56 on thevalve 72 is between approximately 10 mm to approximately 15 mm longalong its longitudinal axis γ, typically approximately 12 mm. The knob56 is approximately 5 mm to approximately 10 mm wide along itslatitudinal axis ρ, typically approximately 7.5 mm wide. The first endof the valve 72 b opposite the knob is between approximately 5 mm toapproximately 10 mm in diameter, typically approximately 6.8 mm with alength between approximately 2 mm to approximately 5 mm, typically 3.5mm long. And, the recessed portion 89 of the valve 50 is betweenapproximately 5 mm and approximately 10 mm long, typically 8 mm longwith a diameter between approximately 5 mm and approximately 10 mm,typically 7.5 mm. These dimensions describe an exemplary valve, theinvented valve not limited to these exemplary ranges.

FIG. 3A depicts a perspective view of the exterior of a bottle jack 70using the invented valve 72 and valve inhibitor 74. A portion of thebase 76 of the jack 70 defines a valve housing 78. The valve housing 78is shown in this figure as 78 as ovular to coincide with the circularshape of the distal end 72 a of the valve shown in FIG. 3 but can be anyshape. The distal end 72 a of the valve, shown as circular though it canbe any shape as discussed, supra, protrudes from an aperture 80 in thebase 76. As shown in FIG. 1E, the valve 72 extends medially from thejack assembly 82 at an angle θ between the longitudinal axis of thevalve a and the longitudinal axis of the jack β. θ is preferably betweenapproximately 45° and approximately 80° and typically approximately 76°.Another aperture (not shown) traverses through the valve housing 78, theaperture receiving a valve inhibitor 74, the valve inhibitor enteringthe valve housing along the latitudinal axis of the valve.

The distal end of the valve inhibitor 74 b is accessible and canprotrude slightly from the aperture in the valve housing 78 in which thevalve inhibitor is disposed. In FIGS. 3A-B, the distal end 74 b of thevalve inhibitor is shown featuring a hexagonally shaped depression 86 toreceive the working end of an Allen wrench. The hexagonal shapeddepression 86 is meant to be exemplary and not limiting. In alternativeembodiments, the hexagonal shaped depression can be replaced withtooling so that the valve inhibitor 74 can be manipulated with aPhillip's head screwdriver, a flat-head screwdriver, a star key, orother tools designed to turn threaded implements. The valve inhibitorcan be manufactured to be any length and diameter such that the size ofthe aperture in the valve housing and the height h of the flat recess(shown in FIG. 2) in the valve, can be accommodated. In an exemplaryembodiment, the length represented by h is between approximately 1 mmand approximately 3 mm, typically 1.6 mm.

A salient feature of the invention is the single aperture in the valvehousing 78. The single aperture needed to reversibly install the valveinhibitor provides facile engineering that can be retroactively appliedto existing hydraulic jacks. Another important feature of the inventiondemonstrated in FIG. 3A is the ability of a user to access and adjustthe valve inhibitor 74 from the exterior of the jack 70 using onlyconsumer grade tools. As such, a user can install, remove, or adjust theinvented valve inhibitor without removing any part of the casing of ajack using the invented valve inhibitor or remove the valve beinginhibited.

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the jack 70 of FIG. 3A along lineA-A. As shown in this figure, when threaded far enough into the valvehousing 78, the valve inhibitor 74 protrudes into the void between thefirst 72 a and second 72 b ends of the valve. While in this position,the valve 72 can only be opened a certain amount or turned a certainnumber of times until one of the laterally extending walls 88 formingthe flat recess 89 of the valve contacts the valve inhibitor. Once thevalve 72 contacts the valve inhibitor 74, the valve cannot be furtheropened or turned, thus preventing the valve from being removed from thejack. Similarly, the valve inhibitor can be inserted into the valve toprevent the valve from being overly tightened or overly nested withinthe jack.

In FIG. 3B, the medially facing end 90 of the valve inhibitor 74 is notshown in contact with the flat recess 89 in the valve 72. Thisdemonstrates that the invented valve inhibitor 74 does not have to makecontact with the flat recess 89 of the valve inhibitor to function,though such a position is contemplated for optimal valve inhibition. Toinhibit the valve 72 from being removed or opened too far, any length ofthe valve inhibitor just has to be positioned between the mediallyextending walls 88 defining the flat recess 89.

A salient feature of the invention is the direct inhibition of theinvented valve with the invented valve inhibitor. When a user wants toinhibit the invented valve, invented valve inhibitor is inserted into aposition to make direct contact with the invented valve. Such directvalve inhibition avoids the complicated and multiple component valveinhibitors of the prior art.

In the embodiment featured in FIGS. 3A-B, when the valve 72 is installedin the valve housing 78 of the jack 70, the flat recess 89 immediatelyopposes the aperture 92 through which the valve inhibitor 74 isinstalled. When the valve inhibitor is removably installed in the valvehousing 78, there is then a predetermined number of turns of the valvein either direction before the valve inhibitor prevents further turns.This predetermined number of turns is provided automatically by the sizeof the threads provided on the valve inhibitor 74 and the interior walls98 of the aperture 100 receiving the valve. The larger the threads, thefewer turns that will be permitted. The smaller the threads, the moreturns that will be permitted. In an exemplary embodiment, the threadsdisposed on the valve 72 are between approximately 2 mm andapproximately 5 mm apart, typically 1.25 mm apart. A fully installedvalve 72 that was previously removable from its jack 70 after eightturns was prevented from being turned more than approximately 2.5 turnsusing the invented valve with the described threads.

The size of the threads can range in size so that a fully installedvalve 72 can be turned between approximately one half of a complete turnto four complete turns of the threaded member before the valve contactsthe inhibitor and can be turned no further. The predetermined number ofturns permitted by the valve inhibitor is preferably between one halfcomplete turns and two complete turns and typically between one halfcomplete turns and one and a half complete turns. When the inventedvalve inhibitor prevents further rotation of the invented valve, a usercan manually override the inhibitor by removing it. Further, theinvented valve can be retightened without removing or adjusting theinvented valve inhibitor.

The size of the threads disposed on the interior of the aperture 96 onthe jack housing 78 are fixed when the jack 70 is produced, therebyfixing the required size of the threads on the valve. Thread size,however, is not the only way to predetermine the number of turns of thevalve permitted before inhibited by the valve inhibitor. Thelongitudinal distance defining the flat recess on the valve alsopredetermines how many turns will be permitted of the valve beforeinhibition. In the instant invention, new valves having differentlongitudinal distances defining the flat recess can be produced andinstalled after a user already possesses a jack using the instantinvention

In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particularsituation or material to the teachings of the invention withoutdeparting from its scope. While the dimensions and types of materialsdescribed herein are intended to define the parameters of the invention,they are by no means limiting, but are instead exemplary embodiments.Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the artupon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should,therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, alongwith the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Inthe appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used asthe plain-English equivalents of the terms “comprising” and “wherein.”Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and“third,” are used merely as labels, and are not intended to imposenumerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of thefollowing claims are not written in means-plus-function format and arenot intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixthparagraph, unless and until such claim limitations expressly use thephrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of furtherstructure.

As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and allpurposes, particularly in terms of providing a written description, allranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subrangesand combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easilyrecognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range beingbroken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths,tenths, etc. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein canbe readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third,etc. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all languagesuch as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” “more than”and the like include the number recited and refer to ranges which can besubsequently broken down into subranges as discussed above. In the samemanner, all ratios disclosed herein also include all subratios fallingwithin the broader ratio.

One skilled in the art will also readily recognize that where membersare grouped together in a common manner, such as in a Markush group, thepresent invention encompasses not only the entire group listed as awhole, but each member of the group individually and all possiblesubgroups of the main group. Accordingly, for all purposes, the presentinvention encompasses not only the main group, but also the main groupabsent one or more of the group members. The present invention alsoenvisages the explicit exclusion of one or more of any of the groupmembers in the claimed invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for inhibiting the turning of avalve comprising: providing a case having a threaded receptacle;providing a threaded member having a cylindrical main body extendingalong a longitudinal axis with two ends; a threaded section on a firstend; a knob on a second end; wherein a plurality of seals are disposedbetween the first end and the second end, and an annular depressioncoaxial with the cylindrical main body disposed between the knob and theseals; providing a stopping screw to transversely extend through thecase in a screw opening; receiving said threaded member into saidthreaded receptacle such that the knob protrudes outside of an exteriorsurface of said case; installing the stopping screw to apply a forceagainst the threaded member; preventing removal of the threaded memberby the stopping screw force once the threaded member rotates apredetermined number of times.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein theannular depression receives a portion of the screw when the screw isthreaded through the second threaded aperture.
 3. The method of claim 1further comprising resetting the valve into its first position withoutremoving the stopping screw.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein thepredetermined number of turns is between one and three.